Caring
for
others
is
just
one
aspect
of
Christian
discipleship.
As
we
grow
in
Christian
discipleship,
we
learn
that
first,
we
must
respond
to
God’s
invitation
and
accept
His
offer
of
salvation.
Secondly,
we
must
increase
our
faith
in
God
by
making
Him
the
Lord
of
our
life.
And
thirdly,
we
learn
that
real
meaning
and
purpose
is
found
by
being
stewards
of
faith;
that
is,
sharing
with
others
what
Christ
means
to
us
through
modeling,
words,
and
actions.
One
of
the
most
powerful
aspects
of
caring
for
others
is
your
presence
through
listening,
and
openness.

Caring
grows out of an
understanding of
the nature of
God. Caring is
strengthened by
experiencing
God’s love and
care. Many
times,
caregivers are
those who have
experienced hope
in the midst of
pain and who
were able to
grow in the
midst of hurt.
Caring for one
another is an
expression of
the “ministry of
all
Christians.” It
is a fulfillment
of the
“priesthood of
believers.”
Therefore,
“caring for
people who hurt
and have
experienced loss
is a natural
response to
God’s gracious
caring.”

The
body of Christ
is made up of
many parts.
Each of us is
gifted with a
spiritual gift.
“Some of the
gifts of caring
given to us are
the ability to
listen, to
nurture, to
accept, to be
honest, to be
present/available,
to be patient,
to keep
confidences, to
learn from one’s
own experiences
of hurt, to
identify with
another, and to
be able to speak
a word of hope
in the midst of
hurt and loss.”

How
can we care for
others? This is
a continuous
ministry that
provides us
opportunities
for service
everyday.
Perhaps a family
member has
experienced
disappointment,
a person next
door is lonely,
a person in the
hospital is in
pain, a
co-worker has
experienced
divorce, a
friend has had
to retire, or a
person in the
church has had a
loved one die.
There are many
different ways
to care for
others. Be
alert for
opportunities to
be of service!

Your
expression of
Christian
discipleship can
be a very
meaningful asset
to our
community. Be
aware of the
caring things
you can do for
another. These
gestures mean so
much! Let us
make a concerted
effort to
increase our
caring gestures
for one another
all through the
year! God
bless!

If
you find inaccuracies or incomplete information, don't find
what you were looking for, or would simply like to say
hello; e-mail any comments, corrections or updates to our
Your help is sincerely appreciated in making this web site a
valuable tool for the members of the congregation, our visitors,
and always a testimony to our Lord and Savior - Jesus Christ. The
content of these pages is the sole responsibility of Mathews
United Methodist Church. Thank you!